Genetic Groups, Categories, and Carcass Grading of Beef Cattle for Accessing Bonus Programs in the Meatpacking Sector of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil

Abstract The objective was to evaluate the genetic groups, categories, and carcass classification of beef cattle to obtain incentives from bonus programs in the meatpacking sector of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. A total of 137 reports from the slaughter of 11,174 animals - castrated male, intact male, and heifers - belonging to the genetic groups Angus, ½ Angus × ½ Nelore (crossbred), and Nelore, were analyzed. The carcasses were evaluated according to the criteria of the following programs: Lista Trace, Cota Hilton, Novilho Precoce, Farol de Qualidade, Protocol 1953, and Protocol Angus. Producer payments were based on the value of the arroba (15 kg of carcass weight, @) in Brazilian reais (R$), and the bonus amount awarded by each incentive program according to its specific criteria (R$/@). For the carcasses of castrated and intact animals belonging to the Angus genetic group, the highest incentive values per arroba were paid by the Novilho Precoce program ( P < 0.05). For heifer carcasses of the same genetic group, the highest incentive value per arroba was paid by the 1953 > 16@ program ( P < 0.05). In the Nelore genetic group, the Novilho Precoce program paid higher bonuses for the carcasses of intact males and heifers ( P < 0.001). The production of carcasses from Angus or crossbred heifers results in high incentive payments through the 1953 (payment made for carcasses above 16@) program. For both castrated and intact males of all genetic groups, the highest incentive payments are provided by the Novilho Precoce program.